A weekend Test

The concept of training for the 10-in-10 has been a real jump into the unknown.
I have increased my training mileage really quite significantly, and have tried to be as smart about it as I can.

Generally the intensity has been low.

I didn't get the optimal speed and distance work in that I'd hoped for for Draycote, but still was able to pull out a very pleasing result there.

I have had the occasional niggle, including one this week, but by tweaking things and being careful, they have got better on their own, without me having to stop training.

I have discovered a ridiculously simple 'tweak' that has made a BIG difference to my form, and has reduced the extraneous work and tensions that I was experiencing in my lower legs.

I have been running virtually ALL my runs with my Lorna..... literally..... at her side. Not flying off and doing my own thing, or doing the loop-back thing. And my endurance and aerobic capacity and speed have ALL improved hugely.

I'm loving running strongly and smoothly and being able to run reasonable daily mileage and not feel like I'm getting tired from the volume.
It is also fabulous to see Lorna running more strongly and quickly for less effort, especially over the last week or so!!

We are clearly doing something right.

I had a worrying tweak to my Left Achilles early in the week, but by making some careful adjustments, have been able to train through it with it getting better day on day.

The MOST pleasing thing has been the simplicity of the training.
It really has been very very simple.
Easy paced miles - mostly a couple of times a day - sometimes more - the occasional harder session (the Progressive Run is AWESOME, btw!!) or harder run race.

And that is it!

Had I not been pacing the Silverstone Half last weekend, I was going to have a pop at my 5K PB, and I'm certain it would have gone. That *would* have been 4 PB's on 4 consecutive weekends - from 5K to Marathon - all on simple training!

This weekend is going to be a test.

We have purposely run 70 miles already this week, to see how we cope with two back-to-back 20 milers at Rhayader - a race I've wanted to do for YEARS as I was brought up just a few miles from there - and then at Ashby on Sunday, at the pace we intend to start out at the 10-in-10.

We'll also get to spend a little time with my Dad after Rhayader, which is a big added bonus :o)

But so far things appear to be going reasonably well